The Italian government is taking significant steps to combat fake reviews on online platforms, particularly concerning hotels and restaurants. This initiative aims to enhance market transparency and ensure fair competition in sectors where reputation is crucial.
Minister of Enterprises, Adolfo Urso, emphasized the importance of authentic consumer feedback while acknowledging the risks posed by manipulated reviews. The recently approved annual law for small and medium enterprises includes measures to identify review authors and verify their reliability.
Under the new legislation, businesses will have the right to request the removal of obviously false or misleading reviews. Additionally, the law will prohibit the buying and selling of reviews, ensuring that only customers who have genuinely used a service can post their opinions.
The Italian Federation of Public Establishments (Fipe Confcommercio) welcomed this legislation as a major advancement in protecting both consumers and businesses, representing over 335,000 establishments in the tourism and hospitality sectors.